With Week 7 kicking off tonight, there are many big games on the schedule that will leave options wide open for area high school football fans.
As usual, I'll break down a few of the area's top games today, then discuss the game of the week on Friday.
Flower Mound Marcus at Southlake Carroll, 7:30 p.m., Friday -- As a proud alum of Flower Mound Marcus, it's always hard for me to pick against the Marauders, especially with players like RB Stephen Hopkins toting the rock for Marcus. The Michigan commit is one of the most powerful, toughest running backs in the area and he'll have to have a big day for the Marauders to have a shot at beating the Dragons at home. Marcus' only loss this season came to defending Class 5A Division I champion Katy (34-24). Carroll's only loss came to a run-heavy Galena Park North Shore squad, which is a good sign for Hopkins & Co. The Dragons are a different team than they have been in the past. They lack the high-profile quarterback but have a very strong defense. I expect a reasonably low-scoring game here, but like Carroll at home. Prediction: Southlake Carroll 30, Marcus 17.
Prosper at Celina, 7:30 p.m., Friday -- I saw Prosper lose to Argyle last week, and now they draw the other part of the 9-3A gauntlet with defending Class 3A Division II state finalist Celina. Though Prosper's 17-game win streak came to an end last week, remember, the Eagles are the 3A Division I defending champs and Celina is probably the underdog for the first time ever in this matchup. Prosper had tremendous trouble moving the ball against a stout Argyle defense. I don't think Celina's D is up to the same level as Argyle's, but it's still very solid. I think tradition wins out. Prediction: Celina 27, Prosper 21.
Everman at Stephenville, 7:30 p.m., Friday -- These are two teams that got off to sort of slow starts and suffered an embarrassing defeat, but have since recovered. Everman entered the season ranked No. 5 in the preseason AP poll and got rocked by Waxahachie. Stephenville was blown out by No. 2 Denton Guyer in Week 1 and hasn't lost since. Everman has now won five straight. Everman's athleticism should win out over the Yellowjackets' size and homefield advantage, which is considerable. Prediction: Everman 45, Stephenville 30.
Last week's record: 3-1. Season record: 17-10.
Adam Boedeker is a sports writer/award-winning blogger for the Denton Record-Chronicle. He's beginning to believe in chiropractors.
